Franklinton, Louisiana
December 5, 2019
6:00 p.m.
The Washington Parish School Board met in regular session on the above date with the following members present: Bruce Brown, Kendall McKenzie, Robert Boone, Dewitt Perry, Frankie Crosby and Lesley McKinley. Absent: John Wyble, Alan McCain, and Dan Slocum.
Agenda Item #1 - Call to order
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Lesley McKinley.
Agenda Item #2 – Invocation
The invocation was given by Bruce Brown.
Agenda Item #3 – Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda Item #4 – Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 7, 2019, regular board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 7, 2019, regular board meeting as presented to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #5 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 12, 2019, special board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 12, 2019, special board meeting as presented to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #6 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the November 14, 2019, special board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Robert Boone, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt the minutes of the November 14, 2019, special board meeting as presented to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #7 - Consider a motion to adopt the minutes of the December 2, 2019, special board meeting (John Wyble).
It was moved by Frankie Crosby, seconded by Dewitt Perry, that the Board adopt the minutes of the December 2, 2019, special board meeting as presented to each member. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #8 – Presentation on Early Childhood Network Honor Roll Certificates – Leslie Hodges (Sandy Morgan).
Leslie Hodges, Curriculum Coordinator of Early Childhood, recognized and Superintendent Fairburn presented awards from the Louisiana Department of Education to two schools and three childcares and Head Start. Franklinton Primary School and Wesley Ray Elementary School were recognized for being on the state’s honor roll as excellent early childhood sites. Head Start received an award as one of the highest performing Head Starts in the state. Three childcares, Jacob’s Ladder, Building Blocks Early Learning Academy, and Children of Promise received awards for top gains and excellence in birth to three early childhood education.
The Honor Roll Certificate of Excellence was presented to Franklinton Primary School for a 3rd consecutive year and Wesley Ray Elementary School for its 1st year. Photos were taken for a newspaper press release and the Board congratulated each agency for their participation and excellence.
Agenda Item #9 – Report from the firm of Postlethwaite and Netterville regarding the 2018/2019 audit of general purpose financial statements (Lacy Burris).
Cynthia Bankston, Postlethwaite and Netterville, gave a brief overview of the 2018/2019 audit. She stated that the report showed a clean or unmodified opinion.
Agenda Item #10 – Presentation on October 2019 financial statements (Lacy Burris).
Lacy Burris, Director of Finance, presented the October 2019 financial statements for the following funds:
General Fund
School Lunch Fund
Tax District #4 Bond Sinking Fund
Agenda Item #11 – Consider a motion to adopt a budget revision for the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades K – 2) Grant Budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Robert Boone, that the Board adopt a budget revision for the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy (Grades K – 2) Grant budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #12 – Consider a motion to adopt a budget revision for the Special Federal Funds Budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year (Lacy Burris).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby, that the Board adopt a budget revision for the Special Federal Funds budget for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #13 – Personnel Report (Mary Jones)
PERSONNEL ADJUSTMENTS
RETIREMENT RESIGNATION
1. Franklinton Elementary School: Debra Wood, School Lunch Worker, Retirement Resignation effective December 23, 2019.
SABBATICAL MEDICAL LEAVE
1. Franklinton Elementary School: Dana Harvey, Regular Teacher, Sabbatical Medical Leave effective the Spring Semester of the 2019/2020 school year only.
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
1. Thomas Elementary School: Brandy Williams, Pre-K Paraprofessional, Extend Leave Without Pay from December 1, 2019 through December 13, 2019.
TRANSFER
1. Gilda Watkins, School Lunch Worker, Thomas Elementary School TO School Lunch Worker, Franklinton Elementary School effective January 6, 2020 (Replacing Debra Wood).
CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT STATUS
1. Thomas Elementary School: Balinda Alleno, Part-Time School Lunch Worker TO Full-Time School Lunch Worker effective January 6, 2020 (Replacing Gilda Watkins).
EMPLOY
1. Franklinton Primary School: Breanna Russell, Kindergarten Teacher, Employ effective January 6, 2020 (Replacing Benita Bush).
2. Franklinton High School: Beverly Golden, Administrative Assistant I – School Clerk, Employ effective December 2, 2019 (Replacing Toni Graves).
3. Varnado High School: Latasha Payton, Special Education Teacher, Employ effective December 13, 2019 (Replacing Miranda Carpenter).
4. Thomas Elementary School: Sara Ard, Pre-K Paraprofessional, Employ effective December 9, 2019 (New position).
Agenda Item #14 – Discuss and take appropriate action regarding Transportation Adjustments (Shane Smith).
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, that the Board adopt the Transportation Adjustments as follows:
TRANSPORTATION ADJUSTMENTS
Pine/Thomas District: Extend the route of Mecy Kelly 4 miles one-way to pick up students on Hwy. 62. Effective date: September 19, 2019.
Extend the route of Mecy Kelly 7 miles one way to pick up students on Hwy. 436. Effective date: November 11, 2019.
One time addition to the route of Mecy Kelly 14 miles due to parent was not home to pick kids up and ran entire route then took kids back to Thomas Elementary School per Shane Smith and Frances Varnado. Effective date: November 11, 2019.
Franklinton District: Extend the route of Melaney Rauch 1.4 miles one way to pick up students on Wilson Road. Effective date: November 7, 2019.
Motion carried unanimously.
Agenda Item #15 - Superintendent’s Report
Add to the Agenda: It was moved by Bruce Brown, seconded by Kendall McKenzie, to consider a motion to authorize to change the January 13, 2020 Committee Meeting to January 14, 2020 and call a Special Board Meeting on January 14, 2020 immediately following the Committee Meeting to discuss the Superintendent Search. Motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Dewitt Perry, seconded by Frankie Crosby, to change the January 13, 2020 Committee Meeting to January 14, 2020 and call a Special Board Meeting on January 14, 2020 immediately following the Committee Meeting to discuss the Superintendent Search. Motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Fairburn stated that he would be out of the office on leave on Friday and at a Region II Superintendent’s meeting on Monday.
Shane Smith gave an updated on the demolition of the old Franklinton Elementary School.
Agenda Item #16 - Personal Privileges – School Board Members
The Board wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
The Board thanked the Finance department for a good audit report.
The Board congratulated Robert Boone, Teacher of the Year in Marion County.
Agenda Item #17 - Consider a motion to adjourn.
It was moved by Kendall McKenzie, seconded by Bruce Brown, that the Board adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
______________________________
John Wyble, President
______________________________
Darrell Fairburn, Secretary